Two Indian students killed in Ukraine after being forcibly recruited into Russian army - The Independent

According to the families of the men who died, they had traveled to Russia on student visas and were killed after being forcibly recruited to fight in the war against Ukraine.

The Independent wrote that the bodies of 22-year-old Ajay Godara from Bikaner and 30-year-old Rakesh Kumar Maurya from Uttarakhand were returned and handed over to their families.

How the recruitment happened

According to the report, two men traveled separately to Russia on student visas. Later, in videos sent to their families, they revealed that they had been recruited into the army and sent to the front line in Ukraine.

They said they initially agreed to what they believed were civilian roles as cleaners and helpers, unrelated to combat, but were later enlisted into the Russian army and deployed to the front lines in Ukraine. The Independent notes that they were likely seeking part-time work while on student visas.

The deaths of the two men have renewed concern in India over the recruitment of its citizens into the Russian military.

The report also provides more details about Ajay Godara.

He traveled to Russia in November 2024 to attend language courses and was reportedly recruited nearly 10 months later. His family last heard from him on September 22.

He was the only son of Mahavir Prasad and Kalavati Godara, who pleaded with local officials for help after learning about his recruitment.

"I sent him to study. Why did you throw him into this war? Ajju is my only son. Bring him home at any cost," his mother told the Patrika newspaper after receiving news of his death.

In one of his videos, Godara appeared calm while describing being part of a group of four soldiers fighting in the village of Selydove in the Donetsk region, which Russia had captured.

"I've come into a network area after eight days. We were attacked with missiles and drones. One of the recruits died in front of me, the other two ran away, and I became lost. My team members have now found me. I don't know what is going to happen to me. I've given my statement that I was forcibly recruited," he said.

In another video, he expressed fear for his life, saying that the promises made to him turned out to be very different and that the recording "might be his last."

On Thursday, likely December 18, his relatives, friends, and neighbors held a farewell ceremony and chanted "long live Ajay." His military uniform and a Russian flag were displayed near the town.

Background

Earlier, The Independent highlighted the dangerous conditions faced by some Indian recruits in the Russian army, who encountered life-threatening risks on the front lines in Ukraine.

On Thursday, the Indian government reported at least 200 cases of Indian citizens being recruited by Russian recruiters to fight in the war in Ukraine. At least 26 Indian citizens have died in the war, and seven are reported missing. The government added that it is working on the early release of 50 Indian citizens currently serving in the Russian army.

According to the Center for Countering Disinformation, since 2022, Russia has recruited foreigners from 128 countries, using fraudulent recruitment centers, private companies, and government channels through its diplomatic and cultural institutions.